Consist power system having onboard renewable energy devices

ABSTRACT

The disclosure is directed to a consist power system for a consist having a locomotive. The consist power system may include an engine located onboard the locomotive, and a generator driven by the engine to produce a main supply of electric power. The consist power system may also include a wind turbine located onboard the locomotive and configured to produce a first auxiliary supply of electric power, and a solar panel located onboard the locomotive and configured to produce a second auxiliary supply of electric power. The consist power system may also include a traction motor configured to receive the main supply of electric power and the first and second auxiliary supplies of power to propel the locomotive. The consist power system may further include a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a speed of the consist, and a controller in communication with the sensor, the wind turbine, and the solar panel. The controller may be configured to selectively control at least one of the wind turbine and the solar panel based on the signal from the sensor.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a consist power system and,more particularly, to a consist power system having onboard renewableenergy devices.

BACKGROUND

A consist includes one or more locomotives, and in some instances atender car, that are coupled together to produce motive power for atrain of rail vehicles. The locomotives each include one or moreengines, which combust fuel to produce mechanical power. The engine(s)of each locomotive can be supplied with liquid fuel (e.g., diesel fuel)from an onboard tank, gaseous fuel (e.g., natural gas) from the tendercar, or a blend of the liquid and gaseous fuels. The mechanical powerproduced by the combustion process is directed through a generator andused to generate electricity. The electricity is then routed to tractionmotors of the locomotives, thereby generating torque that propels thetrain.

Due to rising costs of diesel fuel and natural gas, operating the engineof the locomotive can be expensive. Thus, in some applications,renewable energy sources, such as, for example, wind and solar energy,can be used to supplement the power of the engine. In addition,operation of the engine can be very noisy and undesirable in certainareas and/or at certain times.

One attempt to address the above-described problems is disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 7,886,669 that issued to Kumar on Feb. 15, 2011 (“the '669patent”). Specifically, the '669 patent discloses a locomotive having adiesel engine that generates a torque that is transmitted to analternator along a drive shaft. The alternator uses the torque togenerate electricity that is supplied to a traction motor, whichprovides tractive power to propel the locomotive. Airflow devices,including a radiator, a blower, and a fan, are operated to help controltemperatures of the locomotive components. Each airflow device iscoupled to a motor, which converts received electrical input to arotational motion of the airflow device. During a stand-by mode, ambientair (i.e., wind) flowing through the stationary locomotive rotates theblades of the airflow devices, and the motors associated with theairflow devices may convert the rotational energy into electricalenergy, which is supplied to charge a battery used to power thelocomotive components.

While the system of the '669 patent may utilize wind energy to helppower the locomotive, it may still be less than optimal. In particular,the locomotive of the '669 patent may obtain only a limited amount ofenergy while the locomotive is in the stand-by mode (i.e., stationary).In addition, the system of the '669 patent may be limited to the use ofwind energy.

The consist power system of the present disclosure solves one or more ofthe problems set forth above and/or other problems with existingtechnologies.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, the disclosure is directed to a consist power systemfor a consist having a locomotive. The consist power system may includean engine located onboard the locomotive, and a generator driven by theengine to produce a main supply of electric power. The consist powersystem may also include a wind turbine located onboard the locomotiveand configured to produce a first auxiliary supply of electric power,and a solar panel located onboard the locomotive and configured toproduce a second auxiliary supply of electric power. The consist powersystem may also include a traction motor configured to receive the mainsupply of electric power and the first and second auxiliary supplies ofpower to propel the locomotive. The consist power system may furtherinclude a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a speedof the consist, and a controller in communication with the sensor, thewind turbine, and the solar panel. The controller may be configured toselectively control at least one of the wind turbine and the solar panelbased on the signal from the sensor.

In a second aspect, the disclosure is directed to a method of providingpower to a consist having a locomotive. The method may includegenerating a main supply of electric power with a generator driven by anengine located onboard the locomotive. The method may also includegenerating a first auxiliary supply of electric power with a windturbine located onboard the locomotive, and generating a secondauxiliary supply of electric power with a solar panel located onboardthe locomotive. The method may also include selectively directing themain supply of electric power and the first and second auxiliarysupplies of electric power to a traction motor to propel the locomotive.The method may further include determining a speed of the consist, andselectively controlling at least one of the wind turbine and the solarpanel based on the speed of the consist.

In a third aspect, the disclosure is directed to a consist power systemfor a consist having a locomotive. The consist power system may includean engine located onboard the locomotive, and a generator driven by theengine to produce a main supply of electric power. The consist powersystem may also include a wind turbine located onboard the locomotiveand configured to produce a first auxiliary supply of electric power,and a solar panel located onboard the locomotive and configured toproduce a second auxiliary supply of electric power. The consist powersystem may also include a traction motor configured to receive the mainsupply of electric power and the first and second auxiliary supplies ofpower to propel the locomotive. The consist power system may furtherinclude a vent located on at least one side of a body of the locomotive,and a controller being configured to selectively control the vent inresponse to a braking command.

In a fourth aspect, the disclosure is directed to a method of providingpower to a consist having a locomotive. The method may includegenerating a main supply of electric power with a generator driven by anengine located onboard the locomotive. The method may also includegenerating a first auxiliary supply of electric power with a windturbine located onboard the locomotive, and generating a secondauxiliary supply of electric power with a solar panel located onboardthe locomotive. The method may also include selectively directing themain supply of electric power and the first and second auxiliarysupplies of electric power to a traction motor to propel the locomotive.The method may further include receiving a braking command indicatingthat the consist is braking, and selectively opening a vent of a body ofthe locomotive based on the braking command.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side-view diagrammatic illustration of an exemplarydisclosed consist;

FIG. 2 is a top-view diagrammatic illustration of the consist of FIG. 1;and

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary disclosed powersystem that may be used in conjunction with the consist of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary train consist 13 having a locomotive 10and a trailing car 11 that is towed by locomotive 10. Trailing car 11may be a tender car, a passenger car, a cargo container car, or anothertype of car. It is contemplated that consist 13 may include any numberof locomotives 10 and trailing cars 11, and that locomotives 10 may belocated in any arrangement relative to trailing cars 11 and in anyorientation (e.g., forward-facing or rear-facing).

Locomotive 10 may include a car body 12 supported at opposing ends by aplurality of trucks 14 (e.g., two trucks 14). Each truck 14 may beconfigured to engage a track 16 via a plurality of wheels 18, and tosupport a frame 20 of car body 12. Any number of engines 22 may bemounted to frame 20 within car body 12 and drivingly connected to agenerator 24 to produce electricity that propels wheels 18 of each truck14.

Engine 22 may be an internal combustion engine configured to combust amixture of air and fuel. The fuel may include a liquid fuel (e.g.,diesel) provided to engine 22 from a tank (not shown) located onboardlocomotive 10, a gaseous fuel (e.g., natural gas) provided by a tendercar (not shown), and/or a blended mixture of the liquid and gaseousfuels. Engine 22 may be configured to combust the liquid and/or gaseousfuel and generate a mechanical output that drives a generator 24 toproduce electric power. The electric power from generator 24 may be usedto propel locomotive 10 via one or more traction motors 26 associatedwith wheels 18.

Generator 24 may be an induction generator, a permanent-magnetgenerator, a synchronous generator, or a switched-reluctance. In oneembodiment, generator 24 may include multiple pairings of poles (notshown), each pairing having three phases arranged on a circumference ofa stator (not shown) to produce an alternating current.

Traction motors 26, in addition to providing the propelling force ofconsist 13 when supplied with electric power, may also function to slowlocomotive 10. This process is known in the art as dynamic braking. Whena traction motor 26 is not needed to provide motivating force, it can bereconfigured to operate as a generator. As such, traction motors 26 mayconvert the kinetic energy of consist 13 into electric energy, which hasthe effect of slowing consist 13. The electric energy generated duringdynamic braking is typically transferred to one or more resistance grids(not shown) mounted on car body 12. At the resistance grids, theelectric energy generated during dynamic braking is converted to heatand dissipated into the atmosphere. Alternatively or additionally,electric energy generated from dynamic braking may be routed to anenergy storage system (e.g., a battery) 34.

Trailing car 11 may be connected to locomotive 10 via a mechanicalcoupling 28. Trailing car 11, like locomotive 10, may also be equippedwith a frame 20 that is supported by two or more trucks 14 having aplurality of wheels 18. Trailing car 11 may also generate its ownelectric energy through dynamic braking via traction motors 26. Thegenerated electric power may be stored at a separate battery 34 onboardtrailing car 11.

Battery 34 may be used to selectively provide supplemental power totraction motors 26 and/or to any auxiliary load of consist 13. Battery34 may take any form known in the art. In some embodiments, one or morebatteries 34 may be located on each locomotive 10 and/or each trailingcar 11 of consist 13. It is contemplated that batteries 34 located onseparate rail vehicles may be connected in series or parallel, allowingenergy to be transferred between locomotives 10 and/or trailing cars 11.It is also contemplated that, in some embodiments, there may be a tendercar (not shown) including one or more banks of batteries 34, whichprovide energy for consist 13. One or more controllers 32 located onlocomotive 10 and/or trailing car 11 may be in communication withbatteries 34.

Each controller 32 may be configured to control operational aspects ofits related rail vehicle. For example, controller 32 of locomotive 10may be configured to control power distribution of its correspondingbattery 34 to traction motors 26 and/or auxiliary loads of locomotive10. Likewise, the controller 32 of trailing car 11 may be configured tocontrol power distribution of its corresponding battery 34 to tractionmotors 26 and/or auxiliary loads of trailing car 11. Controller 32 mayalso be configured to control operational aspects of its correspondingengine 22, generator 24, traction motors 26, operator displays, andother associated components. In some embodiments, controller 32 oflocomotive 10 may be further configured to control operational aspectsof trailing car 11, if desired.

Each controller 32 may embody a single microprocessor or multiplemicroprocessors that include mechanisms for controlling an operation ofthe associated rail vehicle based on, among other things, input from anoperator and/or one or more sensed operational parameters. Numerouscommercially available microprocessors can be configured to perform thefunctions of controller 32. Controller 32 may include a memory, asecondary storage device, a processor, and any other components forrunning an application. Various other circuits may be associated withcontroller 32 such as power supply circuitry, signal conditioningcircuitry, solenoid driver circuitry, and other types of circuitry. Insome embodiments, controller 32 may include one or more modules thatcontrol various aspects of the supply of electricity within consist 13.For instance, controller 32 may include an energy management moduleand/or a voltage manager module.

To facilitate effective control of the supply of electricity fromgenerator 24 to traction motors 26, controller 32 may monitor variousaspects of engine operation, generator operation, and/or transmission ofelectricity within the system. For example, controller 32 may monitorengine speed, engine fueling, and/or engine load of their respectiveengines 22. Likewise, controller 32 may monitor the voltage, current,frequency, and/or phase of electricity generated by their respectivegenerators 24. Controller 32 may also employ sensors and/or othersuitable mechanisms to monitor general consist operating parameters. Forexample, controller 32 may monitor an actual speed of consist 13 withone or more speed sensor(s) 48.

As shown in FIG. 1, engine 22, generator 24, traction motors 26,controller 32, and batteries 34 may all contribute to a power system 30associated with consist 13. In addition to these components, powersystem 30 may also include a number of renewable energy devices. Forexample, consist 13 may include one or more wind turbines. The windturbines may convert kinetic energy into electrical energy that isstored in motors associated with the wind turbines. The electricalenergy stored in the motors may be transferred to batteries 34 onboardlocomotive 10 and/or trailing ear 11.

In the disclosed embodiment, power system 30 may include a first windturbine 36 located within an interior of car body 12 of locomotive 10.For the purposes of this disclosure, wind turbine 36 may be ahorizontal-axis wind turbine. Wind turbine 36 may be positioned adjacentto one or more vents 38 located on sides of car body 12. In thedisclosed embodiment, locomotive 10 may include one vent 38 located oneach side of car body 12. Vents 38 may be configured to move between anopen position and a closed position to allow or block a flow of ambientair into the interior of car body 12. One or more blades of wind turbine36 may be configured to rotate as a result of the oncoming ambient air.This rotation may generate kinetic energy, which is converted toelectrical energy via a motor of wind turbine 36. This electrical energymay then be transferred to batteries 34. It is contemplated that vents38 may be powered by wind turbine 36, or they may instead be powered bybattery 34. Although only one wind turbine 36 is shown in FIG. 1, anynumber of wind turbines 36 located in the interior of car body 12 oflocomotive 10, as desired. Also, it is contemplated that, although windturbine 36 is shown to be associated only with locomotive 10, windturbine 36 may also be associated with trailing car 11.

In some embodiments, controller 32 may cause vents 38 to move betweenthe open and closed positions in response to an operational state ofconsist 13. For example, controller 32 may receive a braking commandfrom the operator and/or one or more sensed parameters indicating thatconsist 13 is braking. As a result, controller 32 may cause vents 38 tomove to the open position. It is contemplated that vents 38 may remainclosed in other operational states (e.g., while consist 13 is moving).

In addition to assisting to produce electrical energy via wind turbines36, vents 38 may also serve to provide braking resistance because of anincrease in aerodynamic drag while in the open position. This addedbraking resistance may help to slow consist 13, thereby reducing thebraking power required by traction motors 26.

Power system 30 may also include a second wind turbine 40 located on anexterior of car body 12 of locomotive 10 and/or trailing car 11. For thepurposes of this disclosure, wind turbine 40 may be a vertical-axis windturbine. It should be noted that vertical-axis wind turbines may haveblades that rotate in a direction substantially perpendicular to that ofhorizontal-axis wind turbines, in order to produce electricity. In thismanner, one of vertical-axis wind turbines and horizontal-axis windturbines may generate more power than the other based on a direction ofoncoming air. As a result, the use of either horizontal-axis andvertical axis wind turbines may be based on a location of the windturbine and the direction of oncoming air. However, both thevertical-axis wind turbines and the horizontal-axis wind turbines mayfunction to produce electricity in a similar manner.

In the disclosed embodiment, one wind turbine 40 is located on each oflocomotive 10 and trailing car 11. Each wind turbine 40 may be at leastpartially disposed within an enclosure mounted to ends of the car bodies12 of its respective rail vehicle. Wind turbines 40 may be configured tomove between a first position inside the enclosure to a second positionextending vertically above the enclosure. A mechanism (not shown) maycause wind turbine 40 to move between the first and second positions.This mechanism may be driven by a motor (not shown) of wind turbine 40.It is contemplated that the motor may be powered by wind turbine 40itself, or instead powered by battery 34.

In some embodiments, wind turbine 40 may be utilized while consist 13 isstationary. For example, controller 32 may be configured to detect aspeed of consist 13 via sensor 48. If a speed of consist 13 is above athreshold speed (e.g., about 0 MPH), then wind turbine 40 may not beoperational and remain within the enclosure. On the other hand, if aspeed of consist 13 is below a threshold speed (e.g., about 0 MPH), thenwind turbine 40 may move from the first position to the second position.In the second position, wind turbine 40 may be fully operational andgenerate power that is transferred to battery 34 and/or other componentsof consist 13.

In addition to wind turbines 36, 40, power system 30 may include one ormore solar panels. The solar panels may include a plurality ofphotovoltaic cells, which use light energy from the sun to generateelectrical energy. The electrical energy produced by the solar panelsmay be transferred to batteries 34. In the disclosed embodiment, powersystem 30 may include a first solar panel 42 located along a side of carbody 12, and a second solar panel 44 located on a roof of car body 12.For the purposes of this disclosure, solar panels 42, 44 may besubstantially identical. As shown in FIG. 1, there may be a plurality ofsolar panels 42, 44 located on one or both of locomotive 10 and trailingcar 11, as desired.

In some embodiments, power system 30 may also include a third,retractable solar panel 50. Solar panel 50 may be configured to movebetween a first position inside car body 12 and a second positionoutside of car body 12 in a similar manner as wind turbine 40. Also,similar to wind turbine 40, solar panel 50 may be utilized duringstationary operation and generate power that is transferred to battery34. Accordingly, solar panel 50 may move to the second position inresponse to the speed of consist 13 being below the threshold value. Byutilizing retractable solar panels 50, this may help to increase powerthat is captured from the sun while consist 13 is stationary. Inaddition to being retractable, solar panel 50 may unfold from a closedposition to an open position, thus enlarging a surface area of its bodyand increasing electrical energy production. It is contemplated that,although solar panel 50 is shown to be associated only with trailing car11, solar panel 50 may also be associated with locomotive 10.

Batteries 34, wind turbines 36, 40, and solar panels 42, 44, 50, eitheralone or in combination, may function as auxiliary power units. In thismanner, one or more of these devices may power components onboardlocomotive 10 and/or trailing car 11 during stand-by modes of operation.For instance, rather than having engine 22 idling to power necessarycomponents of consist 13, batteries 34, wind turbines 36, 40, and/orsolar panels 42, 44, 50 may instead power the necessary components. Thismay allow engine 22 to be turned off during certain times and/or incertain areas, thus decreasing noise associated with operating consist13.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of consist 13. As shown in FIG. 2, one ormore of solar panels 42, 44 may have a cooling device 46 disposedbetween an exterior of car body 12 and the respective solar panel 42,44. Cooling device 46 may embody an air-to-air heat exchanger, aliquid-to-air heat exchanger, or combinations of both, and be configuredto facilitate the transfer of thermal energy away from solar panels 42,44. In the disclosed embodiment, cooling device 46 is configured togenerate a flow of air via a fan (not shown) powered by a motor. Theflow of air generated by the fan may absorb the thermal energy fromsolar panels 42, 44. As shown in FIG. 2, cooling devices 46 may only beassociated with the solar panels 42, 44 located onboard locomotive 10.These solar panels 42, 44 may experience increased operatingtemperatures as a result of being located adjacent to engine 22. Thus,cooling devices 46 may help to maintain solar panels 42, 44 within adesired operating temperature range, thereby preventing a decrease inperformance.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic illustration of power system 30. A methodof operating power system 30 will be described in more detail below.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The disclosed power system may be applicable to any consist operation.The disclosed system may enhance power capacity of consist 13 byutilizing renewable energy sources. Specifically, wind turbines 36, 40and solar panels 42, 44, 50 may convert wind and solar energy intoelectrical energy that is used to power traction motors 26. In addition,the electrical energy produced by wind turbines 36, 40 and solar panels42, 44, 50 may be saved in batteries 34, from which any auxiliary loadsof consist 13 may be powered. In this manner, the electricity generatedby generator 24 may be supplemented by renewable energy, therebyreducing power and fueling required by engine 22. Additionally, windturbine 40 and solar panel 50 may be retractable, which may help toproduce additional power in stationary modes of operation. By utilizingthese renewable energy sources, significant amounts of fuel may beconserved. Exemplary operations of power system 30 will now be describedin detail.

Referring to FIG. 3, a main supply of electric power may be generated bygenerator 24 driven by engine 22. This main supply of electric power maybe directed to traction motors 26, batteries 34, the auxiliary loads,and/or other components of consist 13. In addition to the main supply ofelectric power, auxiliary supplies of electric power may be generatedvia wind turbines 36, 40 and solar panels 42, 44, 50. These auxiliarysupplies of electric power may be directed to batteries 34 fordistribution to traction motors 26, the auxiliary loads, and/or anyother components of consist 13. During operation, one or more of solarpanels 42, 44 may be cooled via cooling device 46, in order to maintaina desired operating temperature.

In the disclosed embodiment, speed sensor 48 may generate a signalindicative of a speed of consist 13. Controller 32 may receive thesignal and determine a speed of consist 13. Controller 32 may then usethe speed to determine whether consist 13 is stationary or moving. Forinstance, if the signal indicates that the speed of consist 13 is belowa threshold value (e.g., about 0 MPH), then controller 32 may determinethat consist 13 is stationary. However, if the signal indicates that thespeed of consist 13 is above the threshold value, then controller 32 maydetermine that consist 13 is moving. If consist 13 is stationary,controller 32 may cause one or both of wind turbine 40 and solar panel50 to move to their respective second positions above car body 12.Controller 32 may also cause solar panel 50 to unfold to the openposition while moving to its second position. On the other hand, ifconsist 13 is moving, wind turbine 40 and solar panel 50 may remain intheir first positions inside car body 12.

While consist 13 is moving, controller 32 may receive a braking commandindicating that consist 13 is braking. This braking command may begenerated by an operator of consist 13 and/or determined via sensor 48(i.e., determined based on a change in speed). If consist 13 is braking,then controller 32 may cause vents 38 to open, allowing ambient air toflow into car body 12 of locomotive 10. As vents 38 open, wind turbine36 may use the ambient airflow to generate an auxiliary supply ofelectric power. If consist 13 is not braking, vents 38 may remainclosed.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made to the disclosed system withoutdeparting from the scope of the disclosure. Other embodiments of thesystem will be apparent to those skilled in the art from considerationof the specification and practice of the system disclosed herein. It isintended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplaryonly, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated by thefollowing claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A consist power system for a consist having alocomotive, comprising: an engine located onboard the locomotive; agenerator driven by the engine to produce a main supply of electricpower; a wind turbine located onboard the locomotive and configured toproduce a first auxiliary supply of electric power; a solar panellocated onboard the locomotive and configured to produce a secondauxiliary supply of electric power; a traction motor configured toreceive the main supply of electric power and the first and secondauxiliary supplies of power to propel the locomotive; a sensorconfigured to generate a signal indicative of a speed of the consist;and a controller in communication with the sensor, the wind turbine, andthe solar panel, the controller being configured to selectively controlat least one of the wind turbine and the solar panel based on the signalfrom the sensor.
 2. The consist power system of claim 1, furtherincluding an energy storage system in communication with the windturbine, the solar panel, and the traction motor, the energy storagesystem being configured to: receive the first and second auxiliarysupplies of power from the wind turbine and the solar panel; store thefirst and second auxiliary supplies of power; and transfer the first andsecond auxiliary supplies of power to at least one of the tractionmotor, an auxiliary load located on the consist, and a motor associatedwith at least one of the wind turbine and the solar panel.
 3. Theconsist power system of claim 1, wherein the wind turbine is avertical-axis wind turbine.
 4. The consist power system of claim 1,wherein the wind turbine is at least partially disposed within anenclosure mounted to an exterior of a body of the locomotive.
 5. Theconsist power system of claim 4, wherein the wind turbine is movablebetween a first position inside of the enclosure and a second positionextending vertically above the enclosure.
 6. The consist power system ofclaim 1, wherein the solar panel is movable between a first positioninside of a body of the locomotive and a second position extendingvertically above the body.
 7. The consist power system of claim 6,wherein the solar panel is configured to unfold to increase a surfacearea of its body when moving to the second position.
 8. The consistpower system of claim 1, wherein: the wind turbine is a first windturbine; and the power system further includes a second wind turbinelocated within an interior of a body of the locomotive and configured toproduce a third auxiliary supply of electric power.
 9. The consist powersystem of claim 8, wherein the second wind turbine is a horizontal axiswind turbine.
 10. The consist power system of claim 8, further includinga vent located on at least one side of the body of the locomotive, thevent being configured to move between an open position and a closedposition to allow and block air flowing through the second wind turbine.11. The consist power system of claim 1, wherein: the solar panel is afirst solar panel; and the power system further includes a second solarpanel located on an exterior of a body of the locomotive and configuredto produce a third auxiliary supply of electric power.
 12. The consistpower system of claim 11, further including a cooling device locatedbetween the second solar panel and the exterior of the body of thelocomotive.
 13. A method of providing power to a consist having alocomotive, comprising: generating a main supply of electric power witha generator driven by an engine located onboard the locomotive;generating a first auxiliary supply of electric power with a windturbine located onboard the locomotive; generating a second auxiliarysupply of electric power with a solar panel located onboard thelocomotive; selectively directing the main supply of electric power andthe first and second auxiliary supplies of electric power to a tractionmotor to propel the locomotive; determining a speed of the consist; andselectively controlling at least one of the wind turbine and the solarpanel based on the speed of the consist.
 14. The method of claim 13,further including moving the wind turbine from a first position inside abody of the locomotive to a second position above the body when thespeed of the consist is below a threshold value.
 15. The method of claim13, further including moving the solar panel from a first positioninside a body of the locomotive to a second position above the body whenthe speed of the consist is below a threshold value.
 16. The method ofclaim 15, further including unfolding the solar panel from a closedposition to an open position when the speed of the consist is below thethreshold value.
 17. The method of claim 13, further including coolingthe solar panel to maintain a desired operating temperature.
 18. Aconsist power system for a consist having a locomotive, comprising: anengine located onboard the locomotive; a generator driven by the engineto produce a main supply of electric power; a wind turbine locatedonboard the locomotive and configured to produce a first auxiliarysupply of electric power; a solar panel located onboard the locomotiveand configured to produce a second auxiliary supply of electric power; atraction motor configured to receive the main supply of electric powerand the first and second auxiliary supplies of power to propel thelocomotive; a vent located on at least one side of a body of thelocomotive; and a controller being configured to selectively control thevent in response to a braking command.
 19. The consist power system ofclaim 17, wherein the controller is configured to move the vent betweenan open position and a closed position to allow and block air flowingthrough the wind turbine.
 20. A method of providing power to a consisthaving a locomotive, comprising: generating a main supply of electricpower with a generator driven by an engine located onboard thelocomotive; generating a first auxiliary supply of electric power with awind turbine located onboard the locomotive; generating a secondauxiliary supply of electric power with a solar panel located onboardthe locomotive; selectively directing the main supply of electric powerand the first and second auxiliary supplies of electric power to atraction motor to propel the locomotive; receiving a braking commandindicating that the consist is braking; and selectively opening a ventof a body of the locomotive based on the braking command.